By Nworisa Michael
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections, moving the presidential poll to January in line with the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission said the adjustment became necessary following the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the signing into law of a new electoral framework.
According to the revised schedule, the presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections have been fixed for Saturday, February 6, 2027.
INEC explained that the earlier dates February 20 and March 6, 2027 were reviewed to ensure compliance with the new statutory timelines introduced by the Electoral Act 2026.
The Commission also outlined key activities leading up to the elections. Party primaries, including the resolution of disputes, are to take place from April 23 to May 30, 2026. Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly candidates will commence on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and state assembly candidates will begin on September 9, 2026. As required by law, all campaigns must end 24 hours before election day.
INEC urged political parties to strictly adhere to the timetable, stressing that it would enforce compliance with the law.
In addition, the Commission announced a slight adjustment to the Osun State governorship election, shifting it from August 8 to August 15, 2026. It clarified that while some activities for the Ekiti and Osun governorship polls had already been conducted, all remaining processes would align fully with the new Electoral Act.
The revised timetable comes days after President Bola Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 into law, following its passage by the National Assembly.
INEC called on stakeholders, including political parties, candidates and voters, to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible and inclusive elections as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum under the amended legal framework.